Hudson Williams on Filming Heated Rivalry’s Sex Scenes: ‘I Didn’t Want to Make Anyone Uncomfortable’

Hudson Williams didn’t expect Heated Rivalry to become a cultural talking point this fast. Neither did anyone else involved. But weeks after the HBO Max series quietly arrived in the U.S., the actor who plays Shane Hollander found himself discussing viral fame, intimacy, and queer storytelling on CNN News Central.

Speaking with anchors John Berman, Kate Bolduan, and Sara Sidner, Williams reflected on the show’s first season and the speed at which it reshaped his life.

While the show has gained attention for its steamy romance between two male hockey stars, Williams said the experience was less about personal discomfort and more about protecting those around him.

“I’m in some vulnerable position, someone might say, and things can be exposed. And I just approached it like I didn’t want to be there, say, on something exposed where someone like goes to fix a light and then they see something that no one should be subjected to,” Williams said. “So it’s more like my fear of just like, oh, I don’t want to make someone just adjusting the light uncomfortable.” Balancing Fame and Privacy

Williams also reflected on the show’s rapid rise. He described the attention as “crazy” and “overwhelming,” noting that the overnight success required him to set boundaries with fans.

“The relationship with the fans is like, you know, you have to kind of draw the line at points,” he explained. “The privacy feels weird, but the support has been amazing.”

Despite the attention, Williams has stayed grounded, emphasizing the importance of authenticity in his portrayal of Shane, a gay athlete navigating complex personal and professional dynamics. Preparing for a Role With Depth

In addition to researching his character through the source book and conversations with co-creator Jacob, Williams spoke with Harrison Browne, the first professional hockey player to come out as transgender, who made a cameo on the show.

“I got to talk with [Harrison] on set, but I found out retroactively what he means to the community. He was just a lovely person to talk with,” Williams said. “Then talking with people is more about just talking with Jacob about the character that he adapted because it was based on this book. I felt like the specificity was really the thing I just wanted to nail.”

Williams emphasized that he wanted to focus on Shane’s story rather than attempt to represent every queer experience at once. Romance, Restraint, and Screen Chemistry

While the show has plenty of attention-grabbing moments, Williams said viewers stay for the “tender romance at the center.”

“There’s a lot of yearning and these men are forced to communicate with each other, which is sometimes a little unheard of,” he said.

He described the dynamic between Shane and Ilya as “quiet in unexpected ways,” with intimacy emerging not from overt drama, but from pauses, glances, and shared moments that feel real. Looking Ahead to Season Two

Williams teased excitement for the show’s next season, joking about fans’ eagerness.

“People are yelling at me and they’re like, we need season two. I’m like, OK, let’s just film it tomorrow,” he said.

All episodes of Heated Rivalry are currently streaming on HBO Max, and Williams’ reflections offer a rare glimpse into the care and thought behind filming some of the show’s most talked-about moments.

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